Sorter controller

Abstract

In a sorter controller in which a plurality of sheets fed from the copying machine are separately placed in a plurality of sort bins, the preset copy number is inputted by the operation of an operation panel provided on the copying machine, and a number m of groups of sheets to be placed in a sort bin is calculated by m=INT(N/n), where INT represents a function for obtaining the integer of the number in the parenthesis and N represents the number of sheets that can be placed in a sort bin. When m≧2, the sort bin in which the copied sheets are placed is changed every time n×m sheets are placed in a sort bin. According to such feature, the copied sheets of an original never be separately placed in a plurality of sort bins, and further, the available sort bins are effectively used.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sorter controller in which a plurality of sheets fed from outside machinery are separately placed in a plurality of sort bins comprising: preset number inputting means for inputting a number n of a group of sheets fed from outside machinery;   calculating means for calculating a number m of groups of sheets to be placed in a sort bin by the following equation:   m=INT(N/n)        where INT represents a function for obtaining the integer in the parenthesis and N represents the number of sheets that can be placed in a sort bin; and   sort bin changing means for changing sort bins every time n×m sheets of paper is placed in a bin when m≧2.   
     
     
       2. A sorter controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorter controller is connected to a controller of said outside machinery so as to exchange signals, and said number n is given to said sorter controller through said controller of said outside machinery. 
     
     
       3. A sorter controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outside machinery is the copying machine. 
     
     
       4. A sorter controller in which a plurality of sheets fed from outside machinery are separately placed in a plurality of sort bins comprising: preset number inputting means for inputting a number n of a group of sheets fed from said outside machinery;   first calculating means for calculating a number m of groups of sheets to be placed in a sort bin by the following equation:   m=INT(N/n),        where INT represents a function for obtaining the integer in the parenthesis and N represents the number of sheets that can be placed in a sort bin;   second calculating means for calculating a value Q representing how many sort bins a group of sheets is placed in by the following equation:   Q=INT(n/N+1); and       sort bin changing means for changing sort bins every time n×m sheets of paper is placed in a sort bin when m≧2 and when Q≧2, for changing sort bins every time N sheets of paper is placed in a sort bin.